Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Batch 1

Thanks to chutch02 over at speak-easy I was able to try this, as it's priced well above what I'm comfortable with at all, much less for a whisky of this age. I've recently thoroughly enjoyed a couple Ardbegs of similar age and/or involving a Sherry cask, so I'm still keen on trying it.

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Batch 1, Islay Single Malt, 46.2% ABV

Minutia: Matured for 19 years in a combination of American oak and Oloroso Sherry casks. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Amber; 0.7.

Nose: Earthy, herbal. Salty wood smoke. Sherry-style fruit.

Taste: Shells, softly. Quickly spice comes in, smoke/tar, smoky fire/wood.

Finish: Bam, the wood/smoke/char jumps in and lingers. Long finish.

I quite like this, with the finish being the star. It's a shame this is produed in limited quantities and priced above what would allow the average person to try it, as if it were in the range of their apecial release MSRPs it would be a mainstay on many shelves, I'm sure.

Score: 87

Musical Evocation: Iron Maiden - "The Wicker Man"